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The Silver Lining of Waiting

Before you light the first fire in your fireplace each year, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the National Firecalendar with hourglass Protection Association (NFPA), and other national fire safety organizations recommend that you have your chimney professionally swept and inspected. The reason why this recommendation is made is to ensure that your chimney and fireplace system will work efficiently and safely throughout the winter. Without this professional chimney maintenance service appointment, it can be impossible to know whether or not there are hidden hazards lurking inside the chimney, such as cracks and gaps in the liner. Since the last thing that you need to deal with during the holidays is an accidental house fire caused by a damaged chimney liner, it is important to take care of this professional service before the fireplace season begins. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has been known across the Austin, TX region as the best source for professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services in the area, and our team of trained and experienced professional chimney sweeps are so busy every fall preparing the chimneys of our customers that it can be difficult to schedule an appointment between September and the end of the year on a date that is convenient for you. We understand that it can be frustrating to wait to use your fireplace until we can sweep and inspect your chimney, so we would like to tell you about the silver lining of having to wait for your maintenance appointment with our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps. We will also share how you can avoid this waiting period next year.

What exactly is the silver lining of having to wait three more weeks until I can use my fireplace?

As we mentioned earlier, it is recommended to have your chimney professionally swept and inspected before lighting the first fire of the year, and this means that many homeowners are in need of professional chimney maintenance services every fall. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has had a waiting list for chimney sweep and inspection appointments that begin in September and typically continues throughout the rest of the year. Although we do understand why customers might feel frustrated by this waiting list, we very rarely hear that they will try another chimney sweeping company because they know that our service is worth the wait. They can count on our professional chimney sweeps giving their undivided attention to their chimneys because they know that we value their safety.

How can I avoid having to wait to have my chimney professionally swept and inspected by Atlas Chimney?

We recommend to our customers to forward schedule their annual chimney maintenance service appointments with us to be sure that their fireplaces will be ready to use on the first cool day of the year. After we have swept and inspected your chimney, we will give you the option to go ahead and reserve your appointment time for your next maintenance service. Another suggestion we have to avoid waiting to use your fireplace is to make your chimney sweeping appointment with us in the spring or summer. Since this is our off-season, it can be easier for busy customers to find an available appointment with us on a date that is most convenient for them. Scheduling during the spring and summer is also recommended if you plan to take care of any chimney repairs or make any changes to your chimney. We prefer to do masonry chimney construction and repair services during warmer weather, and you will have plenty of time to have the necessary work done before you want to use your fireplace again in the fall.

What can I expect from my annual professional chimney maintenance appointment with Atlas Chimney?

We are proud to guarantee a mess-free chimney sweeping service, and this is just one of the things that sets us apart from other chimney companies in the area. To protect your home from getting dirty during the appointment, we will place tarps around your fireplace and set up a vacuum that is specifically designed to ensure that no creosote, soot, or other debris enters your home during chimney sweepings. We will then use specialized tools, such as rotating brushes on extended rods, to scrub the inner walls of your chimney. Once we have finished sweeping, we will vacuum away the debris from the firebox and smoke shelf. If we find that creosote in your chimney has built up into a thick glaze on the interior walls, we can use special chemicals to remove this hazardous material and reduce the risk of a chimney fire. A basic Level 1 chimney inspection is included with our annual chimney sweeping service, and you can count on our CSIA-certified professionals to make sure there are no flue blockages or other types of issues that could cause your chimney to be unsafe to use.

Although the wait for a professional chimney maintenance appointment from Atlas Chimney can be frustrating, there is a silver lining of guaranteed excellent service from our qualified and experienced professional CSIA-certified chimney sweeps. Contact us today to schedule your appointment for your annual chimney sweeping and inspection.

The Importance of a Chimney Crown

Your masonry chimney needs to have several important components in place to function properly. For example, the chimney crown keeps water out of your chimney. To do this job properly, it is crucial that the crown is in good condition. The crown is located at the top of the chimney. Therefore, it is difficult to properly check for damages such as cracks or chips. Fortunately, Atlas Chimney ensures your chimney crown effectively protects your home from water leak damage. For over 25 years, we have provided superior quality professional chimney services including crown repair and construction. We would like to tell you more about the importance of a chimney crown.

How often do I need to have a chimney crown inspection?

Industry experts recommend annual chimney crown inspections to ensure proper health and functionality. During our annual chimney inspections, we always take a look at the crown. We will spot any damage or poor construction that could lead to more problems with water leaks and animal invasions. If we do find any damage, we will provide you with photographs and a written estimate of the necessary repairs.

What does Atlas Chimney look for when inspecting a chimney crown?

Atlas Chimney deeply examines the chimney crown to ensure proper construction and catch damage unseen to the naked, untrained eye. One of the most common problems we have found over the years has to do with the mortar used to make the crown. Inferior mortar mixes can be the reason for chimney crown damage, but you can trust us to only use the best mortar mix, Portland cement, which is recommended by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) for its durability. We also look for other crown construction guidelines from the CSIA, such as the proper slope and overhang. Without the right slope angle, water from rain and melted ice and snow can pool on top of the crown. Your crown also needs the right amount of overhang to keep water from falling directly upon the chimney flashing and possibly leak into the flue. Before constructing your crown, our CSIA-certified professionals take precise measurements of your chimney to ensure it will prevent leaks.

Because of the spalling damage that often occurs during the winter, Atlas Chimney recommends having your chimney crown inspected in the spring. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your annual professional chimney sweeping and inspection services from our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps.

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